Chapter 3 The mating ball

Chapter Three.

Gina.

It's the day of the mating ball, and true to his word, I am sitting right next to him.

"Gina," he murmurs so that only I can hear, leaning in close. I taste champagne on his breath. "Sit here."

He waves toward the seats of honor, wedged between him and Ashley. The pack's elite cluster around: betrothed couples glowing in moonlit blues and silvers, matriarchs trading knowing glances. I drop onto the carved oak bench, my mother moving behind us to pour Brandon more wine. Her face is ashen; I catch her gaze for a heartbeat and she bows her head, shame and sorrow tangled in her eyes.

Brandon's fingers graze my arm as he settles in. The contact sends a shot of revulsion through my veins yet I shiver anyway. Ashley, shimmering beside him like a new moon, smiles at me with false sweetness. He leans close to her ear, and I hear every hushed promise:

"...can't wait until tonight, love." I know he is doing everything on purpose, whispering the very same things he had whispered in my ears a few months back.

A hot knot of humiliation coils in my gut. I want to stand, scream, tear him out of this throne room but I'm pinned by the weight of everyone's gaze, by the flicker of hope in my mother's posture, by the knowledge that one false move could doom us both.

From this seat, I watch her my mother, forced to serve the very people who shattered her daughter's heart and killed her grandchild. She moves like a ghost, silent footfalls across the polished floor, as though the music of the violins in the corner might shatter her. She's pouring wine for the council lords now, their wolfish eyes assessing every drop. I clench my fists until my knuckles whiten.

I want to go take my mother's hand and get her out of there, but I couldn't. That was like signing both our death sentences. So instead I just watched in silence, my heart breaking at each insult she got.

Soon Brandon took Ashley's hand leading her to the dance floor,

"You can go now, you are no longer needed." Brandon said smugly as he led Ashley to the dance floor.

I got up and started walking away, when the air suddenly changed with murmurs across the hall.

I turned around to see what the fuss was all about and that's when I saw them two men walking forward, and the couples and people making a way for them to pass through.

I knew one of the men, not personally ofcourse but his face was often in the headlines, though he looked much more handsome if I was being honest.

The way he carried himself, the way he walked simplified grace and power.

Alpha Ryan, he was the alpha of an all alpha pack. The most feared and dangerous pack across the west. His reputation for no mercy and ruthlessness precided him.

My face went to Alpha Brandon, clearly alpha ryan was walking towards him. Brandon immediately let go of Ashley and bowed in respect to Alpha Ryan as he approached.

"I am so sorry I had no idea you were coming I would have had my men come get you." Brandon said, even him, he shattered in the face of Alpha Ryan and to be honest I liked watching him squirm powerless.

But Ryan doesn't glance at him. His eyes are locked on me or someone in my direction, he does not even acknowledge Brandon he just keeps walking towards me.

My heart starts beating so fast, I am full of confusion. What the hell is going on. The room goes completely silent especially after he ignored our alpha and all eyes are now one me as he approaches.

I rise on unsteady feet, gaze locked on his boots moving across the marble. My heart clenches headline stories I'd glimpsed, tales of his pack's ruthless strength, his own reputation as a conqueror. But he carries no triumph in his eyes. Instead, there's a strange softness, a hunger like none I've ever known.

He stops a few inches away from me, his eyes locked on mine. But his face completely expressionless.

I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. My pulse drums against my throat. All of me quakes, and I can't tell whether it's dread or desire or something deeper, something destined.

"mate," he says, his voice low enough that only I can hear and somehow, the walls absorb it and bounce it back, so every head turns and every breath catches. My name on his lips feels like a benediction and a curse.

I barely nod. My tongue fails me. What does he mean mate.

He steps forward. His palm brushes my waist, firm and warm through the silk of my gown. A breath of heat travels up my spine. "Mate."

The single word trembles between us as he repeats it. It humbles me. I see Ashley's mouth fall open. I see Brandon's jaw clench as though he'd bite his own tongue rather than speak another word. The council elders lean forward, interest lit in their aging eyes.

I want to speak object, deny, run but my throat locks and my legs are too heavy I can barely move.

Ryan's other hand settles on my hip, a careful claim, a promise of protection. All eyes shift to us. Even the guards at the door pause with gasps all over the room

A perfumed hush envelops the hall. My mother's tray tilts; a ruby drop of wine trembles on the rim. I bite my lip to stop the tremor in my voice.

His gaze deepens. He leans in so that the heat of his breath fans my cheek. I smell pine and earth, secrets hidden beneath layers of forest. His voice is a rumble against my skin.

"Kiss me."

The single demand sends a ripple through the hall. Silence follows, absolute and breathless. Faces swim around me: shocked, intrigued, eager. A hush so thick I can taste it on my tongue.

"Kiss me." His words echo again, this time soft but urgent, and final.